Job Description
Since 1891, New York's Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for excellence in performance, presenting exceptional concerts by the world’s finest artists on its three iconic stages, from orchestral concerts, chamber music, contemporary offerings, and recitals to jazz, world, and popular music. Complementing its performance activities, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute creates extensive music education and social impact programs that annually serve more than 800,000 people worldwide, playing a central role in fulfilling Carnegie Hall's commitment to making great music accessible to as many people as possible.
Department: Development
Title of Position: Assistant Director, Special Events
Reports to Position: Director, Special Events
Scope of responsibilities:
The Assistant Director of Special Events is an integral member of a five-person team and serves as a senior fundraising strategist for the Special Events department, leading the development and execution of comprehensive revenue strategies for approximately four major fundraising events annually.
This role leads the fundraising strategy for the organization’s galas, including establishing contribution levels, building and managing sales matrices and revenue projections, determining prospects for each contribution level, and developing targeted sales strategies and messaging to drive sponsorship, leadership, table, and ticket sales. The Assistant Director oversees prospect pipelines and donor engagement strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional fundraising priorities while working closely with Development leadership to maximize philanthropic revenue.
The Assistant Director serves as project lead for 1–2 major galas each season, providing strategic leadership from concept through execution and maintaining direct communication with senior leadership and key stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of event goals and revenue targets.
In addition, the Assistant Director manages the day-to-day operations and workflow of the team to ensure an efficient, high-performing, and results-driven operation. This includes overseeing staff workload, approving gift entry and revenue tracking, reviewing print and digital fundraising materials, and ensuring accuracy of prospect and solicitation lists used across event campaigns.
The role also oversees key operational elements of gala execution, including dinner seating strategy to support donor cultivation and stewardship.
Through strategic planning, strong project management, and cross-departmental collaboration, the Assistant Director plays a critical role in maximizing fundraising outcomes and delivering exceptional special events that advance the organization’s mission.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
- 7 years of professional experience preferably in events and/or non-profit organization
- A background with working with high-level donors and trustees.
- Management experience to track revenue and donor financials
- Excellent writing skills and solicitation strategies
- Speed and accuracy in a fast-paced work environment with the ability to prioritize the entire Special Events department
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, plus efficiency in office procedure
- Computer facility critical and Tessitura or Raiser’s Edge experience necessary.
- Evening and weekend hours around the Special Events schedule are required during performance season.
Carnegie Hall is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Decisions concerning employment are made on the basis of an individual’s qualifications to contribute to meeting Carnegie Hall’s needs, and Carnegie Hall is committed not to discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender expression or status of being transgender), sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, status as a caregiver, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses or stalking, criminal convictions (except where otherwise permitted by law), arrest record, credit history, pregnancy, age, mental or physical disability, veteran or military status, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by law.